Component identification and tracking system for telecommunication networks

ABSTRACT

Identification elements (e.g., tracking elements, tracing elements, locating elements, etc.) ( 22 A,  100 ) are provided on various communication components ( 20, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 35, 36, 40, 42, 48, 49, 60, 62, 64, 120 ) provided within a communication network such as a fiber optic network or a copper network. Fiber optic hubs  20  can be identified and/or managed. Data centers ( 110 ) with patch panels ( 120 ) can also be identified and/or managed. Example passive identification elements include bar codes (e.g., 2d barcodes) and radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. In certain embodiments, RFID tags and the bar codes can include network information included therein. In certain embodiments, bar codes can be used to direct technicians to network links at which additional information stored elsewhere is provided. In certain embodiments, identification elements can be provided on communication components through an application downloaded to a mobile device by scanning the bar code. Such application on the mobile device can then be used to manage the network connections, change the network connections, or check the status of the network connections. Multiple mobile devices can be used and synchronized together with a central application, website or network. One example bar code useful for reading information from a network device and linking to a management application is a QR code ( 100 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is being filed on 14 May 2015, as a Continuationapplication of U.S. Ser. No. 14/116,666, which is a U.S. National Stageof PCT International Patent application No. PCT/US2012/038152, filed 16May 2012, and claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.61/487,178 filed on 17 May 2011 and U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.61/591,576 filed on 27 Jan. 2012, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety. To the extentappropriate, a claim of priority is made to each of the above disclosedapplications.

BACKGROUND

Telecommunication systems typically employ a network oftelecommunication cables capable of transmitting large volumes of dataand voice signals. The signals can be transmitted over relatively longdistances in a wide area network or a local network. The signals canalso be part of a data communications network, such as in a data centerof a building or a campus. The telecommunications cable can includefiber optic cables, electrical cables, or combinations of electrical andfiber optic cables. A typical long distance telecommunications networkalso includes a plurality of telecommunications enclosures integratedthroughout the network of telecommunications cables. Thetelecommunications enclosures are adapted to house and protecttelecommunication components such as splices, splice trays, terminationpanels, power splitters and wave length division multiplexers. Datacenters include telecommunications equipment, storage systems, powersupplies, and other equipment.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to providing identification elements(e.g., tracking elements, tracing elements, locating elements, etc.) onvarious telecommunication components provided within a telecommunicationnetwork, such as a fiber optic network or a copper network. Examplepassive identification elements include bar codes (e.g., 2d barcodes)and radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. In certain embodiments,RFID tags are preferred over bar codes because they typically allow forsignificantly more information to be included therein. In certainembodiments, bar codes can be used to direct technicians to internetlinks at which additional information of the type described herein isprovided. In certain embodiments, identification elements can beprovided on telecommunication components through an applicationdownloaded to a mobile device, such as handheld device, by scanning thebar code. Such application on the handheld device can then be used tomanage the network connections, change the network connections, or checkthe status of the network connections. Multiple handheld devices can beused and synchronized together with a central application, website, ornetwork. One example bar code useful for reading information from anetwork device and linking to a management application is a QR code.

A telecommunications system comprises a telecommunications component;and an identifying element on the telecommunications component, whereinthe identifying element includes at least one of: information aboutconnectivity of the telecommunications component, information about thetelecommunications component, a link to a website, or a link to anapplication for downloading to a handheld device for managing theinformation about connectivity of the telecommunications component.

A method of using a telecommunications system comprises providing atelecommunications component; providing an identifying element on thetelecommunications component, wherein the identifying element includesat least one of: information about connectivity of thetelecommunications component, information about the telecommunicationscomponent, a link to a website, or a link to an application fordownloading to a handheld device for managing the information aboutconnectivity of the telecommunications component; and scanning theidentifying element.

The above noted systems and methods can also be used with any supportinghardware, such as hardware which supports, houses, or checks theequipment, including frames, racks, screens, cameras.

The above noted systems and methods and as further described and claimedcan also be used with any type of network (copper or fiber) and whetherthe network is localized, or used or a wide area. The systems andmethods can be used by the system operator for the equipment, theconnections, and/or the supporting hardware, as desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an example of a fiber distribution hub including a componentidentification system in accordance with the principles of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 shows steps for using a component identification element in oneimplementation of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows various steps in additional implementations of the presentdisclosure using a component identification element;

FIG. 4 is an example telecommunications rack including the plurality ofpatch panels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some telecommunication networks include a large number of componentsdistributed over a large area. Often, the as-built configuration of atelecommunications network (e.g., a passive fiber optic network) differsfrom the configuration of the telecommunication network as originallyplanned. Because components of a given telecommunication network arespread out over a relatively large area, it can be difficult to trackand confirm the as-built configuration of the telecommunicationsnetwork. Similar problems exist in local networks, such as in datacenters, where high density is desired.

The present disclosure relates to various systems and methods formaximizing the amount of data available for defining the as-builtconfiguration of a telecommunication network. The present disclosurealso relates to various methods and systems for utilizing as-built datato improve the reliability of telecommunication systems, to improve theability to efficiently maintain telecommunication systems, and toimprove the ability to efficiently upgrade telecommunication systems.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to providingidentification elements (e.g., tracking elements, tracing elements,locating elements, etc.) on various telecommunication componentsprovided within a telecommunication network such as a fiber opticnetwork or copper network. Example passive identification elementsinclude bar codes (e.g., 2d barcodes) and radio frequency identification(RFID) tags. In certain embodiments, RFID tags are preferred over barcodes because they typically allow for significantly more information tobe included therein. In certain embodiments, bar codes can be used todirect technicians to network links, such as internet links at whichadditional information of the type described herein is provided. Incertain embodiments, identification elements can be provided on passivetelecommunication components such as: splitter modules; fiber opticconnectors; fiber optic adapters; individual fiber optic adaptersprovided at a termination region; termination panels themselves; powersplitter modules; individual outputs of power splitter modules (e.g.,either connectorized outputs or non-connectorized outputs); multiplexerssuch as wavelength division multiplexers; individual outputs ofmultiplexing devices; fiber distribution hub housings; adapters used tointerconnect with plug and play splitters; drop terminals; individualports corresponding to drop terminals; ruggedized connectors that pluginto drop terminals or elsewhere; single fiber ruggedized connectors;multi-fiber ruggedized connectors; individual fiber optic splices;splice trays; splice enclosures; parking modules; individual parkingports; fiber optic trays and drawers; wall boxes; receptacles forreceiving parking modules; MTP/MFC connectors; and/or on otherstructures. Identification elements can be provided on active componentas well.

Example parking modules are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,809,233 whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. An example networkinterface device is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/607,676 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Anexample single fiber ruggedized connector is disclosed at U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/203,508 which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety. An example splice tray is disclosed at U.S.application Ser. No. 12/425,241 which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety. Example fiber optic drawer/trays aredisclosed at U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/840,834 and 61/378,710which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. Examplefiber optic enclosures are disclosed at U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,715,679;7,756,379; and 7,869,682, which are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entireties. An example aerial splice enclosure is disclosed atU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/350,337 that is hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety. Example plug and play splitters aredisclosed at U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,376,322; 7,593,614; 7,400,813; 7,376,323;and 7,346,254, which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentireties. An example drop terminal is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.7,512,304, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Anexample ruggedized multifiber connector is disclosed at U.S. Pat. No.7,264,402, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.Example fiber distribution hubs are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.7,873,255; 7,720,343; 7,816,602; 7,728,225; and U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/827,423, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entireties. An example splice closure is disclosed inU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/468,405, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety. In accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure, identification elements can beincorporated into the various components of the systems disclosed in theabove-identified patents and patent applications.

FIG. 1 shows an example fiber distribution hub (FDH) 20 having acomponent identification element in accordance with the principles ofthe present disclosure. The fiber distribution hub 20 includes an outerhousing 22. An FDH identifying element 22A is provided on the housing22. In one embodiment, the identifying element 22A is an RFID tag or abar code. In the case of an RFID tag, the RFID tag can include variousembedded information such as a photo of the FDH, an installation manual,information regarding FDH accessories, reorder information, and aspecific identifying number for identifying the particular FDH.

The FDH 20 includes a termination field/panel 24 supporting a pluralityof fiber optic adapters 26. Each of the fiber optic adapters 26 includesfirst and second ports 28, 30. The termination field 24 has anidentifying element 24A corresponding to the field as a whole.Additionally, each of the fiber optic adapters 26 includes identifyingelements corresponding to each of the first and second ports 28, 30. Forexample, each of the first ports 28 includes its own identifying element28A and each of the second ports includes its own identifying element28A.

The FDH 20 also includes a splitter module 32 containing a splittingcomponent, such as power splitter or wave length splitter components.The splitting module 32 has its own identifying element 32A. Thesplitting module 32 includes a plurality of outputs 34 (e.g., 16 pigtailoutputs, 32 pigtail outputs, etc.). Each of the outputs 34 can includeits own identifying element 34A. If the outputs 34 are connectorized,the identifying elements 34A can be provided on connectors 35 terminatedto the ends of the outputs 34. If the outputs 34 are not connectorized,the identifying elements 34A can be provided directly on the pigtailsrouted out from the splitter module 32. The splitter module 32 can alsoinclude an input 36 which can have its own identifying element 36A. Theinput 36 can be connectorized or connectorized. In the case of aconnectorized input, the identifying element 36A can be provided on theconnector. It will be appreciated that the splitter module includescomponents for providing a one to many optical connection. In the caseof a power splitter, a signal input to the splitter module 32 by theinput 36 is split in power and divided equally to the various outputs34. In the case of a splitting component in the form of a wave lengthdivision multiplexer, a signal input through the input 36 is split ordivided based on wave length and signals within predefined wave lengthranges are transmitted to the various outputs 34.

Referring still to FIG. 1, the FDH 20 also includes a plurality ofoptical fibers 40 having ends that are connectorized by connectors 42.The optical fibers 40 can be optically connected to various subscriberlocations via distribution or drop cables. Each of the connectors 42 caninclude its own identifying element 42A.

It will be appreciated that the outputs 34 of the splitting module 32can be plugged into the first ports 28 of the fiber optic adapters 26and the connectors 42 corresponding to the optical fibers 40 can beinserted into the second ports 30 of the fiber optic adapters 26. Inthis way, the fiber optic adapters 26 are used to optically connect theoutputs 34 of the splitter module 32 to the optical fibers 40. Thisallows subscribers to be optically connected to the fiber optic network.

In certain embodiments, the identifying elements corresponding to thefiber optic connectors can include various information about theconnectors. Example information includes: a unique identificationnumber; test results from final factory validation testing (e.g., endface geometry, insertion loss information, return loss information),warranty information, installation information, accessories information,re-order information, or other information.

In certain embodiments, the FDH 20 can include a splicing region 48including one or more splice trays. Each of the splice trays can includeits own identifying element. It will be appreciated that splices areheld within the splice tray. It will be appreciated that each of thesplices can have its own identifying element. Similarly, each of thefibers connected by a given splice can have there own identifyingelement. The splicing region 48 can be used to splice the fibers 40 tooutgoing distribution cables routed to subscriber locations. A furthersplice region 49 can be provided for splicing the feeder fibers to thesplitter inputs. Identifiers can be provided at each of the splice traysand can also be provided for each of the incoming and outgoing fibersrouted to the spliced trays.

The FDH 20 also includes a connector storage location 60 having parkingmodules 62 with module identifiers 62A. The parking modules includeports/receptacles 64 for receiving individual connectors (e.g.,connectors 35). The modules and each of the ports can include individualidentifying elements 64A.

In practice, the FDH 20 is installed by a technician in the field.During the installation process, a technician can use a handheld scannerto scan the FDH identifying element 22A. The scanning element can alsoaccess positioning data (e.g., global positioning coordinates)corresponding to the location the FDH 20 is being installed. In thisway, by scanning the FDH identifying element 22A, the exact geographicposition at which the FDH has been installed can be saved and laterdownloaded into a database recording the as-built configuration of thetelecommunications system. Scanning of the identifying element 22A canalso provide the technician with necessary installation information,such as installation manuals or other materials. The scanning ties aunique identifying number assigned to the FDH 20 with a particulargeographic position at which the FDH 20 has been installed. Informationrelating to the technician (e.g., identification, training record) canalso be saved and linked to the given installation at the time of thescan.

As the technician continues the installation process, the technicianplugs the outputs 34 into the first ports 28 and also plugs theconnectors 42 into the second ports 30. During this installationprocess, the technician can scan the identifying elements 34Acorresponding to the splitter outputs and the identifying elements 28Acorresponding to the first port. In this way, information can be savedinto the as-built database showing exactly which outputs 34 are pluggedinto exactly which first ports 28. Specifically, specific identifyingnumbers corresponding to each of the outputs 34 are tied tocorresponding identifying numbers corresponding to each of the firstports 28. In certain embodiments, the identifying elements 34A and theidentifying elements 28A are scanned separately. In other embodiments,the identifying elements 34A and the identifying elements 28A arerequired to be scanned together or can be scanned together to reduce thelikelihood of error in the scanning process. In a similar way, thetechnician can scan each of the identifying elements 42A and each of theidentifying elements 30A to record a record of exactly which connectors42 are inserted into which second ports 30. In this way, identificationnumbers corresponded to each of the connectors 42 are linked tocorresponding identification numbers corresponding to each of the secondports 30 so that an accurate as-built data base can be generated.Similarly, information linking specific storage ports 64 to specificoutputs 34 can be scanned and saved.

In certain embodiments, the scanner/RFID reader can be a separate pieceof equipment. In other embodiments, the scanner/RFID reader can beincorporated into a cellular phone or tablet, or can be an add-on to acellular phone or tablet. Other information that can be recordedincludes: the name of the technician conducting the installation;technician training records; and the time at which each operation wasconducted.

Example information that can be included in the identification elements(e.g., RFID tags) which would be available to the customer/technicianupon accessing the information on the identification element include:

Information List No. 1

Test results (IL, RL, geometry, etc.)

User manuals and videos

Re-order information

Ancillary products

Product pricing and availability

Warranty information

Product recall notices

Extended warranty offers

LSL information

Installation date and technician

Scanning the identification elements can generate the followinginformation:

Information List No. 2

Installation rates—actual consumption

End user information

Installation locations—GPS coordinates

Actual installer name and training records

Verify improper use of LSL items

Frequency of use/visit

Automated record keeping

At least some of the information outlined above can be used forimplementing product warranties. For example, warranties could bestarted by the product seller when the product is actually installed inthe field. The information derived from the scanning operation can beused to confirm that all product was be installed by a certifiedinstaller and suitably scanned upon installation. Violation of thiscould void the warranty. An application (e.g., a Smartphone application)can be developed that verifies training records of installer, recordsinstallation location; determines installation rate used an input todemand prediction, as a locator for any warranty concerns; and to bringextended warranty information to customers as records indicate warrantyruns out. Registered users can become part of a seller database ofcustomer contacts—allows follow-up on ease of use.

The above-description includes an example implementation of componentidentification elements included in a fiber distribution hub (FDH) 20.Various other telecommunications equipment and cable management systemsand networks are anticipated for use with one or more componentidentification elements. For example, the identifying elements can beutilized in a data center including an identifying element associatedwith each patch panel. Identifying elements can be associated with eachport of the patch panel and each patch cord connected to the patch panelif desired. Fiber or copper cables can be used in the data center. Oneexample copper patch panel is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,504,726 whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

With reference to FIG. 2, one specific implementation of an identifyingelement, which is useful in a data center, on a fiber distribution hub,or in other telecommunications systems and networks, is a 2d bar code inthe form of a QR code. The QR code can be scanned at step 202 by ahandheld device (e.g., cell phone) by the technician, which can thendirect the technician to a company's website at step 204. The company'swebsite can be the product manufacturer's website or the user's website.The QR code can also link to one or more of the items in the InformationList No. 1 above. The QR code could also be coded to include one or moreof the items in the Information List No. 1 above.

The QR code can also direct the technician to download an applicationfor use with the handheld device in managing the telecommunicationsequipment at step 206. At the same time the technician downloads theapplication, the technician can also request or enter a companyidentification code and/or user specific identification code at step208. These steps are illustrated in FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIG. 3, once the handheld device includes theapplication, the QR code 100 of the network device (e.g., patch panel)can be scanned and the technician can enter the company ID, and thepassword if necessary, at step 302, to begin implementation of theapplication. If the handheld device is already linked to the user, theuser can begin the application to manage the network device at step 304.

The QR code gives the technician a tool to maintain connectioninformation for their network connections in a data center, such as thenetwork connections between patch panels 120, of the type shown in FIG.4. Instead of scanning all of the connections, the technician can enterthem manually into the handheld device to document the networkconnections.

Each patch panel 120 will be labeled with a unique QR code 100. In onepreferred embodiment, the QR code will contain a URL and a unique ID.The URL will bring the technician to a website where the technician cansee installation instructions or other information about the network.The application will give the technician the possibility to maintain theport 122 connections for all the patch panels 120 adjacent to thescanned panel 120.

The first time that the technician starts the application, theapplication preferably requests a company identification and a passwordat step 302 of FIG. 3. Once the handheld device is linked to thewebsite, the technician will be able to identify the panel at step 304.In one implementation, the panel information can include informationsuch as: 1) a room number, 2) a row number, 3) a rack number, and 4) apanel number as shown in steps 306 and 308. Together with the unique ID,and the QR code of the panel, this information will be stored locally onthe handheld device. This information can be uploaded to the network ormain storage device.

At a later date, when the technician reads the QR code on the patchpanel 120, the technician will see the port information on the handhelddevice. The port information can be updated if the technician makes achange in the connections between the ports 122 at step 310. Scanningthe QR code and/or updating the information can update the items in theInformation List No. 2 above.

In one application, the technician can view existing connections betweenports 122 to make a manual check and verification of the connections.

The technician can also synchronize the handheld device with otherhandheld devices and also to the home network database so that the fullnetwork information is current.

A further application of the component identification and trackingsystem for telecommunication networks includes situations where internetand/or cell service is unavailable. The technician can utilize the QRcode to access information stored on a handheld device. If thetechnician then makes changes to the network connections, theinformation can be entered on the handheld device and later synchronizedwith the main network or other handheld devices for updating the maindatabase.

A still further application of the present invention includes situationswhere the QR code includes the actual connection data of the networkconnections. Such information might be useful when there is no internetor cell coverage where the technician is accessing the network. If thetechnician reads the QR code and reads the network connections, thetechnician is able to see a current status of the network connections.If a change is made by the technician, the technician can enter thechange on the handheld device, and print out a new QR code on a portableprinter. The new QR code is left on the network device, and the previouscode is removed or covered up since it is now out-of-date. In thismanner, a technician can access network information merely by readingthe QR code, and updating the QR code to reflect changes.

Within the present invention, various passive identification elementscan be utilized including the noted barcodes and the radio frequencyidentification (RFID) tags. Barcodes can be one dimensional or twodimensional. More information is capable of being stored on the twodimensional bar codes, such as the noted QR codes. The information canbe transferred to other network devices for network management,especially for larger networks where multiple technicians may bemanaging the network connections.

PARTS LIST

-   20 fiber distribution hub-   22 outer housing-   22A identifying element-   24 termination field/panel-   24A identifying element-   24 splitter module-   26 fiber optic adapters-   28 first ports-   28A identifying element-   30 second ports-   30A identifying elements-   32 splitter module-   32A identifying element-   34 outputs-   34A identifying element-   35 connectors-   36 input-   36A identifying element-   40 optical fibers-   42 connectors-   42A identifying element-   48 splicing region-   49 splice region-   60 connector storage location-   62 parking modules-   62A module identifiers-   64 ports/receptacles-   64A individual identifying elements-   100 identifying element-   110 data center-   120 patch panel-   122 port-   200 handheld device-   202-208 initiation steps-   302-310 usage steps

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A communications system configured to carrycommunications signals over a communications network, the communicationssystem comprising: a communications panel of the communications network,the communications panel including a plurality of receptacles at whichconnectorized ends of cables can be received; and an identifying elementdisposed at the patch panel, the identifying element being associatedwith information about the communications panel and with a link to anapplication for downloading to a mobile device for managing theinformation about connectivity of the patch panel.
 13. Thecommunications system of claim 12, wherein the identifying element is anRFID tag.
 14. The communications system of claim 12, wherein theidentifying element is a bar code.
 15. The communications system ofclaim 14, wherein the bar code is a two dimensional barcode.
 16. Thecommunications system of claim 15, wherein the two dimensional barcodeis a QR code.
 17. The communications system of claim 12, wherein thereceptacles of the communications panel include ports of opticaladapters configured to receive connectorized ends of optical cables. 18.The communications system of claim 12, wherein the receptacles of thecommunications panel include jack sockets configured to receiveconnectorized ends of electrical cables.
 19. The communications systemof claim 12, wherein the information about the communications panelincludes test results.
 20. The communications system of claim 12,wherein the information about the communications panel includes usermanuals.
 21. The communications system of claim 12, wherein theinformation about the communications panel includes reorder information.22. The communications system of claim 12, wherein the information aboutthe communications panel includes product pricing and availability. 23.The communications system of claim 12, wherein the information about thecommunications panel includes warranty information.
 24. Thecommunications system of claim 12, wherein the application for managingthe information enables a user to manually enter network connectionsmade at the communications panel.
 25. The communications system of claim12, further comprising a mobile device configured to read theidentifying element and to download the application via the link. 26.The communications system of claim 22, wherein the mobile device isconfigured to locally store information obtained from scanning theidentifying element and to communicate the information about theconnectivity to the management network at a subsequent time.
 27. Amethod of tracking connections within a communications network, themethod comprising: providing an identifying element on a communicationspanel; associating the identifying element with port identificationinformation and port mapping information for the communications panel;associating the identifying element with an internet link to amanagement application downloadable to a mobile device, the managementapplication being configured to enable the user to update the portmapping information.
 28. A method of updating port mapping of acommunications panel, the method comprising: accessing a managementapplication on a mobile device; providing identifying information aboutthe communications panel, the identifying information including a roomnumber, a row number, a rack number, a panel number of thecommunications panel, the identifying information also including anidentifying element associated with the communications panel; storingthe identifying information locally on the mobile device; and updatingport identification information of the communications panel using themanagement application.
 29. The method of claim 28, further comprisingviewing existing connections between ports of the communications panelto make a manual check and verification of the connections.